US3943204A - Method for improving the extraction properties of a tributyl phosphate solution - Google Patents

Method for improving the extraction properties of a tributyl phosphate solution Download PDF

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Publication number
US3943204A
US3943204A US05/439,792 US43979274A US3943204A US 3943204 A US3943204 A US 3943204A US 43979274 A US43979274 A US 43979274A US 3943204 A US3943204 A US 3943204A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tributyl phosphate
degradation products
diazomethane
solution
extraction properties
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US05/439,792
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English (en)
Inventor
Earl C. Martin
Lester E. Bruns
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Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
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Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA filed Critical Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
Priority to US05/439,792 priority Critical patent/US3943204A/en
Priority to GB131075A priority patent/GB1465241A/en
Priority to CA217,987A priority patent/CA1034769A/en
Priority to FR7503454A priority patent/FR2259834B1/fr
Priority to BE2054127A priority patent/BE825140A/xx
Priority to AU77877/75A priority patent/AU487224B2/en
Priority to JP1446275A priority patent/JPS50140795A/ja
Priority to DE19752504786 priority patent/DE2504786A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3943204A publication Critical patent/US3943204A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • GPHYSICS
    • G21NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21CNUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C19/00Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
    • G21C19/42Reprocessing of irradiated fuel
    • G21C19/44Reprocessing of irradiated fuel of irradiated solid fuel
    • G21C19/46Aqueous processes, e.g. by using organic extraction means, including the regeneration of these means
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07FACYCLIC, CARBOCYCLIC OR HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS CONTAINING ELEMENTS OTHER THAN CARBON, HYDROGEN, HALOGEN, OXYGEN, NITROGEN, SULFUR, SELENIUM OR TELLURIUM
    • C07F9/00Compounds containing elements of Groups 5 or 15 of the Periodic Table
    • C07F9/02Phosphorus compounds
    • C07F9/025Purification; Separation; Stabilisation; Desodorisation of organo-phosphorus compounds
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07FACYCLIC, CARBOCYCLIC OR HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS CONTAINING ELEMENTS OTHER THAN CARBON, HYDROGEN, HALOGEN, OXYGEN, NITROGEN, SULFUR, SELENIUM OR TELLURIUM
    • C07F9/00Compounds containing elements of Groups 5 or 15 of the Periodic Table
    • C07F9/02Phosphorus compounds
    • C07F9/06Phosphorus compounds without P—C bonds
    • C07F9/08Esters of oxyacids of phosphorus
    • C07F9/09Esters of phosphoric acids
    • C07F9/11Esters of phosphoric acids with hydroxyalkyl compounds without further substituents on alkyl
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30Nuclear fission reactors
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02WCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Y02W30/00Technologies for solid waste management
    • Y02W30/50Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method for improving the extraction properties of a solution of tributyl phosphate in an organic solvent. More specifically, this invention relates to a method for improving the extraction properties of a solution of tributyl phosphate by esterifying the chemical and radiological degradation products of tributyl phosphate which may be present therein.
  • tributyl phosphate as an extractant for uranium and plutonium has had widespread acceptance in the nuclear industry for the past 25 years. This material, nevertheless, suffers from both chemical and radiological degradation when exposed to the radioactive solutions containing extractable actinides.
  • DBP dibutyl phosphate
  • MBP mono-butyl phosphate
  • phosphoric acid a detrimental effect upon the extraction process.
  • problems created by the presence of these materials are poor phase separation in the contractor, with subsequent losses of entrainment and/or reduced throughput, extraction of fission products along with the actinides, resulting in a loss of purity of uranium and plutonium, loss of actinides caused by the formation of nonstrippable complexes in the organic phase, and the formation of precipitates.
  • the esterifying agent may be any compound which will quickly and easily esterify the degradation products of tributyl phosphate without forming interfering by-products or causing any adverse side reactions while producing a triester which has extraction properties similar to tributyl phosphate.
  • One esterifying agent which has been found to be exceptionally effective is diazomethane.
  • diazomethane when in a pure or highly concentrated form, is susceptible to explosive detonation by shock or by catalysis on a sharp edge or a scratch and that it is also highly toxic.
  • concentrations of 0.1 M or less in a suitable solvent it is relatively easy to handle and no problems have been encountered.
  • solvents such as, for example, ether, carbon tetrachloride and other halogenated hydrocarbons and normal paraffin hydrocarbon or NPH.
  • NPH would be especially suitable, since it is the diluent presently in use for tributyl phosphate in the Purex Process.
  • the NPH contains 97 w/o of C 10 to C 14 straight chain hydrocarbons having a specific gravity of 0.74 to 0.76 at 60°F. and a flash point of 155° to 160°F.
  • the amount of diazomethane necessary to esterify the degradation products is a quantity equal to the quantity of the degradation products present in the tributyl phosphate solution. However, in order to insure that esterification is complete, it is preferable that the amount of diazomethane be double the quantity of degradation products present. This will insure that esterification is complete even if small quantities of water, which would hydrolyze the diazomethane, are present in the organic solution. Any excess diazomethane which may remain after esterification is complete will not affect the extractability of the tributyl phosphate solution, since it will be hydrolyzed as soon as it comes in contact with any aqueous solution.
  • diazomethane in a dilute solution can be readily accomplished by dissolving N-methyl-N-nitroso-p-toluenesulfonamide to 0.1 M in diethyl ether and adding this dropwise to a solution of sodium hydroxide, water and dibutylcarbitol maintained at a temperature of 60°.
  • the diazomethane codistills from the reaction mixture with ether so that a dilute solution is always maintained.
  • the distillate is condensed at a cold finger and is collected in an ice-cooled receiver.
  • Ether solutions of diazomethane can be kept for several weeks at a temperature near 0°C.
  • the preferred temperature for the operation of this process is ambient, since higher temperatures will cause a loss of diazomethane.
  • Feed solution 1 M aluminum nitrate nonahydrate, 2 M HNO 3 , spiked with 1 g/l Pu
  • Extracting solution 20% TBP/CCl 4 + 0.02 M DBP
  • the process of the invention can easily and readily be incorporated into the Purex Process stream after plutonium has been stripped from the extractant.
  • a solution of diazomethane could continuously be added to the spent TBP extractant solution in place of a scrubbing step before it is recycled to extract uranium and plutonium from the acid feed solution.
  • the addition of diazomethane to tributyl phosphate solution greatly improves the extractability of the solution and provides a simple, effective method for improving the extraction properties of a degraded tributyl phosphate solution.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Extraction Or Liquid Replacement (AREA)
  • Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
  • Inorganic Compounds Of Heavy Metals (AREA)
US05/439,792 1974-02-05 1974-02-05 Method for improving the extraction properties of a tributyl phosphate solution Expired - Lifetime US3943204A (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US05/439,792 US3943204A (en) 1974-02-05 1974-02-05 Method for improving the extraction properties of a tributyl phosphate solution
GB131075A GB1465241A (en) 1974-02-05 1975-01-13 Method for the extraction properties of a tributyl phosphate solution
CA217,987A CA1034769A (en) 1974-02-05 1975-01-15 Method for improving the extraction properties of a tributyl phosphate solution
BE2054127A BE825140A (fr) 1974-02-05 1975-02-04 Procede permettant d'ameliorer les caracteristiques d'extraction d'une solution de phosphate de tributyle
FR7503454A FR2259834B1 (de) 1974-02-05 1975-02-04
AU77877/75A AU487224B2 (en) 1974-02-05 1975-02-04 Method for improving the extraction properties ofa tributyl phosphate solution
JP1446275A JPS50140795A (de) 1974-02-05 1975-02-05
DE19752504786 DE2504786A1 (de) 1974-02-05 1975-02-05 Verfahren zur verbesserung der extraktionseigenschaften einer tributylphosphatloesung, insbesondere beim verfahren zur trennung von plutoniumund uranwerten

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US05/439,792 US3943204A (en) 1974-02-05 1974-02-05 Method for improving the extraction properties of a tributyl phosphate solution

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3943204A true US3943204A (en) 1976-03-09

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Family Applications (1)

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US05/439,792 Expired - Lifetime US3943204A (en) 1974-02-05 1974-02-05 Method for improving the extraction properties of a tributyl phosphate solution

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3943204A (de)
JP (1) JPS50140795A (de)
BE (1) BE825140A (de)
CA (1) CA1034769A (de)
DE (1) DE2504786A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2259834B1 (de)
GB (1) GB1465241A (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4311681A (en) * 1980-05-19 1982-01-19 Fmc Corporation Method of regenerating phosphoric acid extraction solvent

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3987145A (en) * 1975-05-15 1976-10-19 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Energy Research And Development Administration Ferric ion as a scavenging agent in a solvent extraction process
DE2633112C2 (de) * 1976-07-23 1985-04-11 Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe Gmbh, 7500 Karlsruhe Verfahren zur Entfernung von Zersetzungsprodukten aus Extraktionsmitteln die zur Wiederaufarbeitung abgebrannter Kernbrenn- und/oder Brutstoffe verwendet werden
US5000927A (en) * 1989-03-31 1991-03-19 General Electric Company Method of regulating a purex solvent extraction process
JPH0495899A (ja) * 1990-08-14 1992-03-27 Power Reactor & Nuclear Fuel Dev Corp 核燃料サイクルから発生する使用済溶媒の抽出分離方法

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2936318A (en) * 1958-11-24 1960-05-10 Raymond H Moore Fission product removal from organic solutions
US3708508A (en) * 1971-04-09 1973-01-02 Atomic Energy Commission Method for the purification and recovery of tributyl phosphate used in reprocessing nuclear fuel
US3793408A (en) * 1972-01-28 1974-02-19 Atomic Energy Commission Method for the purification of bis (2-ethyl-hexyl) phosphoric acid

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2936318A (en) * 1958-11-24 1960-05-10 Raymond H Moore Fission product removal from organic solutions
US3708508A (en) * 1971-04-09 1973-01-02 Atomic Energy Commission Method for the purification and recovery of tributyl phosphate used in reprocessing nuclear fuel
US3793408A (en) * 1972-01-28 1974-02-19 Atomic Energy Commission Method for the purification of bis (2-ethyl-hexyl) phosphoric acid

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4311681A (en) * 1980-05-19 1982-01-19 Fmc Corporation Method of regenerating phosphoric acid extraction solvent

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1465241A (en) 1977-02-23
FR2259834B1 (de) 1978-02-24
BE825140A (fr) 1975-05-29
CA1034769A (en) 1978-07-18
FR2259834A1 (de) 1975-08-29
JPS50140795A (de) 1975-11-12
DE2504786A1 (de) 1975-09-11
AU7787775A (en) 1976-08-05

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